Method for forming and treating kinky fibers from glass

ABSTRACT

The disclosure embraces a method of and apparatus for processing heat-softenable materials, such as glass, to form fibers or filaments from the streams of material and more particularly effecting successive distortions, oscillations or vibrations of the streams of glass by directing streams or jets of liquid for cooling or quenching the streams of glass at the region of formation of the fibers or filaments for establishing successive kinks, bends or crimps in the attenuated fibers or filaments, and delivering or conveying by the quenching streams of liquid or other streams of liquid powdered or particulate materials or metals for combining with, coating or reacting with the glass of the streams at the region of formation of the fibers or filaments for producing combined metal and glass fibers or filaments or coating the glass fibers or filaments with metals or other materials and utilizing electric current potential applied to the streams of liquid entraining metal or other particulate materials for establishing micro arcs whereby kinky fibers or filaments are produced having roughened or pitted surfaces or imparting other characteristics to the fibers or filaments.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 114,030, filed Jan. 21, 1980now U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,855.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to forming and processing fibers or filaments ofglass wherein fine streams of heat-softened glass are engaged by forcesto attenuate and form the glass streams into fibers or filaments havingkinks, bends or crimps therein and for treating or processing the fibersor filaments during formation to impart various characteristics to thefibers or filaments, or coating or combining the fibers or filamentswith metals.

BACKGROUND ART

The art of forming glass fibers by attenuating streams of heat-softenedglass to fibers has been known for many years and continuous fibers orfilaments of glass are formed by attenuating the fibers or filaments byengaging them with a rotating instrumentality such as a pull wheel or bywinding a strand of the fibers or filaments upon a spool or otherrotating body. Various treatments have been applied to fibers orfilaments to provide coatings on the fibers or filaments for variouspurposes or processing the fibers or filaments to impart a roughenedsurface or other specific characteristics to the fibers or filaments.

More recently fibers or filaments have been made embodying successivekinks, crimps or bends in the attenuated fibers or filaments through theuse of a cooling or quenching fluid engaged with the tip regions of thecones of glass streams during their attenuation to the fibers orfilaments. A known method and apparatus for forming fibers or filamentsof glass with kinks, bends or crimps in the attenuated fibers orfilaments are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,916 and 4,145,199.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves a method of and apparatus for processingheat-softenable fiber-forming materials, such as glass, ceramic, or thelike, to form attenuated fibers or filaments from streams of glass andeffecting successive distortions, oscillations, or vibrations of thestreams of glass by directing streams or jets of liquid for cooling orquenching the streams of glass at the region of formation of the fibersor filaments at a rate for establishing permanent kinks, bends or crimpsin the attenuated fibers or filaments wherein particulate or flowablematerials are conveyed by the quenching medium into contact with streamsof glass or other fiber-forming material.

The jets and streams of quenching liquid may be utilized to deliver orconvey powdered or comminuted materials, metals or other liquids forcombining with or reacting with the glass of the streams at the regionof formation of the fibers or filaments for imparting roughened surfacesof the fibers or filaments, or for producing composite metal and glassfibers, or coating the glass fibers with metals or other materials.

The invention is inclusive of a method and apparatus utilizing electriccurrent potential applied to the quenching streams of liquid whereincarbon particles provide a fluidized bed or jet in which may beentrained materials for effecting micro arcs among the carbon particlesor metal particles for producing roughened or pitted surfaces on thekinky fibers or filaments. Materials may be added to the streams ofquenching liquid which may be volatilized by the heat from the glassstreams for coating the fibers with such materials or to react with theglass fibers.

The liquid of the quenching streams may be utilized for conveying riderstreams of other liquids for conducting materials, such as powderedmetals, plastic powders and the like, to the glass streams at theattenuating region into contact with the fibers or filaments at theattenuating region.

An electric potential may be established in the cooling or quenchingstreams reacting with the materials for imparting particularcharacteristics to the attenuated filaments or fibers or for plating thefibers or filaments. Metal in powdered form may be conveyed by thequenching streams or jets to the hot streams of glass, or metal inribbon formation may be fed into the hot glass cones of the glass streamto produce a partial metal coating on kinky fibers or produce compositekinky fibers of glass and metal.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this inventionsuch as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the relatedelements of the structure, to various details of construction and tocombinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufactureand numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration ofthe specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The details of my invention will be described in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of an arrangement for attenuatingstreams of glass to fibers or filaments having kinks or bends therein byquenching the fibers or filaments by streams of liquid wherein thequenching streams of liquid convey powdered or comminuted materials intocontact with the streams of glass at the attenuating regions;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1illustrating the engagement of the streams of quenching liquid withstreams of glass for forming kinks or bends in the fibers or filamentsattenuated from the glass streams, the liquid streams entrainingmaterials for contact with the streams of glass;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the stream feeder andnozzles from which streams of quenching liquid are delivered intocontact with the streams of glass;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2additionally showing means for feeding materials into the streams ofquenching liquid for contact with the glass streams;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of a stream of quenching liquid for engagementwith the glass streams illustrating particles of materials entrained inthe stream of liquid;

FIG. 6 is a schematic isometric view of an arrangement for recoveringthe liquid of the quenching streams;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 2 and additionallyillustrating means for delivering flowable materials onto the streams ofquenching liquid for contact with the glass streams at the region ofattenuation of the glass streams to fibers or filaments;

FIG. 8 is an end view of a stream of quenching liquid shown in FIG. 7with rider streams of flowable material entrained and conveyed by thestream of quenching liquid;

FIG. 9 illustrates an arrangement for feeding heat-softenable metals orother materials into the cones of glass of the glass streams in advanceof engagement of streams of quenching liquid with the glass streams;

FIG. 10 is a greatly enlarged cross sectional view of a fiber orfilament of glass illustrating a deposit of metal on the fiber orfilament by the arrangement shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view illustrating a liquid quenching streamcontaining current conducting particles with an electric currentpotential established in the liquid quenching stream;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 illustrating a modified circuit forestablishing electric current potential in the quenching liquid stream,and

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 wherein the quenching streamcontains a metal salt and the anode of the electrical circuit in thequenching stream is insulated from a nonmetallic delivery nozzle for thequenching stream and wherein the glass streams become cathodes whereby aplating of metal may be formed on the fiber or filament.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in detail and initially to FIGS. 1 through 4and 6, a form of apparatus is illustrated for processing heat-softenedfiber-forming material, such as heat-softened glass or ceramiccomposition, into fibers or filaments having successive permanent kinks,bends or crimps formed therein under the influence of streams ofquenching liquid. Materials may be entrained in the streams of quenchingliquid for contact or reaction with the glass streams at the fiber orfilament attenuating region at the tips of the cones of glass streamsemanating or flowing from a stream feeder.

The arrangement is inclusive of a stream feeder or bushing 10 adapted tocontain heat-softened fiber-forming material such as glass. Where thefiber-forming material employed is glass, the stream feeder is fashionedof a material such as an alloy of platinum and rhodium or other materialwhich is resistant to high temperatures of molten glass.

The end walls of the feeder 10 have terminal lugs 12 connected with asupply of electric current for heating the glass, one of the lugs 12being shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Alternating current of comparativelylow voltage in a range of one and one half of five or more volts and ofhigh amperage is utilized for maintaining the glass in the stream feederin a molten of flowable condition.

The stream feeder 10 may be connected with the forehearth of a glassmelting furnace (not shown) and supplied with molten glass from thefurnace, or the stream feeder or bushing 10 may be of a character whichreceives pieces or spherical bodies of prerefined glass reduced to amolten condition by electric energy passing through the stream feeder orbushing.

The flow of electric energy through the stream feeder 10 is controlledto maintain the glass or other heat-softened fiber-forming material at adesired temperature and viscosity at which streams of the glass ofuniform characteristics may be flowed from the feeder.

The feeder floor 14 is preferably fashioned with rows of dependingprojections 16 disposed transversely of the feeder, as shown in FIG. 1,each projection having a flow passage or orifice therein through which astream 18 of the heat-softened glass or fiber-forming material is flowedfrom the feeder. While three rows of projections 16 are illustrated inFIG. 1, it is to be understood that there may be a larger number ofdepending orificed projections in both the transverse and longitudinalrows.

Each glass stream at the region of its exit from a projection or tip 16is in the form of a cone 20. Each of the glass streams is attenuated toa fiber or continuous filament 22, the fibers or filaments 22 beingconverged by a member or gathering shoe 24 into a linear group, strandor bundle 26.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the strand 26 is wound into apackage 28 on a collector tube or sleeve 30 telescoped onto a collet ormandrel 32 of a winding machine 34. The mandrel and collector tube arerotated by a motor (not shown) in a conventional manner. The winding ofthe strand on the package attenuates the glass streams 18 to the fibersor filaments 22.

A rotatable traverse means 36 is mounted on a rotatable bar or member 38which is also reciprocable lengthwise of the collet 32. The rotatingtraverse means 36 effects a crossing of the convolutions of strand inthe package and the reciprocation of the bar 38 distributes the strand26 lengthwise on the package in a conventional manner. Otherconventional methods or means may be employed for attenuating thestreams of glass to fibers or filaments.

The arrangement is inclusive of means for impinging streams or jets 52of liquid, such as water or a foam material, against the glass streamsat or adjacent the tip regions of the cones for effecting orestablishing distortions, vibrations, oscillations, or relative lateralmovements of the softened glass, and cooling or quenching the streams ofglass by the streams or jets 52 of liquid thereby forming successivekinks, bends or undulations 40 in the fibers or filaments.

The invention embraces a method and means of delivering variousmaterials into contact with the heat-softened glass of the streams orcones for combining with, reacting with or coating the glass of thestreams at the region of formation of kinky fibers or filaments forproducing composite glass-metal fibers or filaments or reacting with theglass to modify the characteristics of the fibers or filaments such asforming roughened or pitted surfaces on the fibers or filaments or forcombining materials with the glass for other purposes.

Metal or current-conducting particles may be entrained in the jets orstreams 52 of quenching liquid in conjunction with electric currentpotential of a character for effecting micro arcing between adjacentparticles for combining the metal or other particles with the glass oreffecting pitting or roughening of the surfaces of the glass fibers orfilaments or otherwise modifying characteristics of the fibers orfilaments.

One embodiment of means for entraining materials in fine powder orparticulate form in the quenching streams 52 for delivery into contactwith the glass streams and providing electric current potential wherethe fine powder or particulate materials are of metal or carbon isillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4. Disposed lengthwise of the streamfeeder 10 is a manifold or member 44 having a hollow interior 46 whichis supplied with a quenching fluid such as water under pressure from asupply (not shown) through a pipe 48. Disposed lengthwise of themanifold 44 in spaced relation are tubes, pipes or tubular nozzles 50.

Each of the nozzles 50 is aligned with a transverse row of glass streams18. While FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate three transverse rows of dependingorificed projections 16 with four projections in each row, the streamfeeder may be provided with a larger number of transverse rows oforificed projections and each row may have more than four projectionsdepending upon the size of the stream feeder.

The manifold 44 conveys the quenching or cooling medium, such as water,to each nozzle or pipe 50 and as the quenching medium is under pressure,the quenching medium is projected as a coherent stream 52 of thequenching medium from each of the tubes or nozzles 50. While water ispreferred as a quenching medium for the streams of glass, foam materialor other suitable liquid may be used.

It is essential that the streams 52 of water or other quenching mediumbe of sufficient velocity so that the streams 52 of quenching mediumimpinge against the glass streams at or adjacent the tips of the cones20 to distort, vibrate or oscillate the glass streams as shown in FIGS.1, 2 and 3 from their otherwise normal vertical paths or descent fromthe orifices in the projections 16 of the stream feeder. The size ordiameter of the streams of water or other quenching fluid must beadequate to impinge against all of the glass streams of a row.

It is found that water under pressure of from thirty pounds per squareinch to about sixty pounds per square inch will provide a coherentstream of water of sufficient velocity to engage the glass streams of arow and that each stream of water has substantially a rectilinearcoherent trajectory with a minimum of curvature as illustrated in FIG.2. If the pressure of the water or quenching medium is too high, thenthe velocity impact of the water of the quenching streams against theglass streams tends to tear or break the glass streams and glass beadstend to form.

The streams 18 of glass of a row are aligned whereby the fibers orfilaments as they are attenuated are drawn through the central region ofa stream of water as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The streams ofquenching medium, such as water, engaging the tip regions of the cones20 of the glass streams 18, cause substantially continuous distortions,oscillations, vibrations or lateral movements of the glass streams andconcomitant quenching or cooling of the fibers or filaments solidifiesthe successive distortions, oscillations or vibrations as permanentbends, kinks or undulations in the attenuated fibers or filaments. Thismethod of forming kinks, bends, or undulations in fibers or filaments isdescribed in Russell U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,916.

The arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 embodies means fordelivering materials in fine powder or particulate form by the streams52 of quenching liquid into contact with the glass of the streams 18 atthe region of engagement of the quenching streams 52 with the glassstreams 18 at the tip regions of the cones of glass.

The particulate materials engaging the glass of the streams may be forthe purpose of forming a composite fiber or filament of the glass andthe particulate material, or for coating the fiber or filament orotherwise reacting with the glass to impart or modify particularcharacteristics of the surfaces of the glass fibers or filaments.

The arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 is particularly suitedfor entraining powdered materials, carbon particles or fine metalparticulates in the streams 52 of quenching medium or water and conveyedby the streams into contact with the glass of the glass streams 18.

The arrangement is inclusive of a circuit for establishing an electricalpotential whereby micro arcing occurs between adjacent particles ofmetal to promote adherence of the particles of metal to the glass toform a composite glass-metal fiber or filament or to form roughened orpitted surfaces on the fibers or filaments as they are acted upon by thestreams of quenching medium.

Where carbon particles are entrained in the quenching streams providedwith an electrical potential, micro arcing occurs between adjacentcarbon particles causing roughness or pitting of the surfaces of theglass fibers or filaments.

Disposed adjacent the manifold 44 are tubular members 54, 54a and 54bhaving converging cone-shaped end regions 56, 56a and 56b, connectedwith tubular members 58 which are of very small diameter approximatingthat of a hypodermic needle. Each of the tubular members 54, 54a and 54bare connected respectively with supply hoppers or containers 60, 60a and60b which are adapted to contain particulate materials or fine powderedmaterials for delivery by the quenching streams 52 into contact with theglass streams 18.

While FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate an arragement for delivering threecoherent streams of quenching liquid, it is to be understood that a moreor less number of streams may be utilized depending upon the number ofrows of glass streams flowing from the stream feeder.

Means is provided associated with the tubular members 54, 54a and 54bfor feeding particulate materials or fine powdered materials fromcontainers 60, 60a and 60b into the small diameter tubular members 58for delivery into the streams 52 of quenching medium exiting from thenozzles 50. Disposed in the tubular or hollow members 54, 54a and 54bare rotatable members or elements 62, 62a and 62b having spiral vanesmounted on shafts 64, the shafts being journally supported in fluidtight bearings contained in end closures 66 for the tubular members 54,54a and 54b.

Means are provided for concomitantly rotating the members 62, 62a and62b. The central shaft 64 is driven by motive means such as anelectrically energizable motor 70. The central shaft 64 mounting thescrew-like member 62 is provided with a drive gear 72 which is enmeshedwith gears 74 for driving the shafts equipped with the spiral vanedmembers 62a and 62b.

The spiral vanes of members 62, 62a and 62b are slanted in a directionso that rotation of these members feed the particulate materials or finepowdered materials from the containers 60, 60a and 60b in a right-handdirection, as viewed in FIG. 4, through the tubular members 54, 54a and54b to extrude the particulate materials or fine powdered metals throughthe hypodermic needle-like members 58 into the quenching liquid movingthrough the nozzles 50. The particulate or powdered materials or metalsin the streams of quenching medium, in effect, provide fluidized beds orjets of the materials.

Means is provided for conveying away the spent liquid of the quenchingstreams 52 as well as any particulate materials remaining in thequenching streams for the purpose of reclaiming the liquid of thestreams as well as to prevent contamination of the environment byfugitive particulate materials. FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 illustrate onearrangement for conveying away the spent quenching liquid and anyparticulate materials remaining in the quenching streams.

Disposed lengthwise of the stream feeder 10 is a hollow or tubularmanifold 80. Arranged lengthwise of the manifold 80 are tubular members82 which are connected with vertically disposed tubular members 84. Eachof the vertical members 84 has a funnel-like entrance member 87 havingits outwardly flared end region in alignment with a quenching stream 52whereby the spent liquid of the stream is delivered into the funnel-likeportions 87 and the collected liquid and particulate metals or powderedmaterials therein conveyed away by the tubes 84 for reuse.

As particularly shown in FIG. 6, the manifold 80 is provided at one endwith a suction blower 90 in which is rotatably mounted a suction blowermember 92 upon a rotatable shaft 94 driven by an electric motor 95 orother means. The suction blower 90 has an exit region 96 which, ifdesired, may be connected with a filter means for filtering outparticulate materials which may escape from the quenching streams 52.

The suction blower 90 exerts suction or subatmospheric pressures in thefunnel-like members 87 to assure that particulate materials adjacent thequenching streams are ensnared by the filter means (not shown) so as notto cause contamination of the environment.

Various particulate or powdered materials may be fed to the quenchingstreams 52 depending upon the end results desired for or reactions withthe kinky or crimped fibers or filaments. With the use of metals inparticulate form or carbon particles an electric circuit may be providedto effect a reaction of the particulate materials on the fibers orfilaments or for providing a coating of metal on the fibers or filamentsor otherwise reacting with the fibers or filaments to form pitted orroughened surfaces on the fiber or filaments or for other purposes.

One terminal of the circuit, for example the positive terminal 100 shownin FIG. 2, may be connected with the metal manifold 44 and the negativeterminal 102 connected with the funnel-like members 87 whereby anelectrical potential is established in the liquid of the quenchingstreams. Where the quenching streams contain particles of carbon theelectrical potential promotes micro arcing between the adjacent carbonparticles and this arcing tends to form a pitted or roughened surface onthe fibers or filaments.

The electrical potential set up in the quenching streams is directcurrent of a voltage of up to about twenty four volts which is usuallysufficient to cause micro arcing between adjacent carbon particles.While current for establishing the electrical potential is preferablydirect current it is to be understood that alternating current may beused to establish the potential.

The current supplied to the stream feeder or bushing 10 through theterminal lugs 12 is preferably alternating current of low voltage, forexample one half volt to five volts or more, for maintaining the moltenglass in the feeder or bushing at a proper temperature and viscosity forflowing streams of glass through the orificed projections 16. The microarcing provides some additional heat which tends to cause pitting orroughness of the surfaces of the kinky fiber or filaments being formed.

Carbon particles may be delivered onto the quenching streams by thesmall tubular members 58 through the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4.Metals in finely divided or powdered form may be supplied to the hoppers60, 60a and 60b and delivered into the quenching streams to also affectthe fibers or filaments by a roughening or pitting of the surfaces, orthe metal powders may be utilized as a coating on the fibers orfilaments.

The powdered metals in the quenching streams under the influence of theelectrical potential in the streams may be fused into the fibers orfilaments. For example, particles of metals, such as tin, chromium,nickel, silver, cadmium, titanium, boron and the like, or compoundsthereof may be utilized. The metal particles may be reduced to moltencondition by the heat of the glass cones and the heat of the micro arcsto form metal coatings on the fibers or filaments.

FIG. 5 illustrates particles 104 of particulate materials entrained in astream 52 of quenching liquid. The particles 104 may be of variousmetals and where powdered metals are employed, electrical potential isutilized as hereinbefore pointed out. The invention embraces the use ofnonmetallic powdered materials such as resinous or plastic materials,for example, acrylics, polyesters, polyvinyls in fine powder form, maybe delivered into the streams of quenching media through the arrangementillustrated in FIG. 4 or by other suitable means whereby the plasticpowder is deposited upon the glass fibers or filaments forming acomposite fiber or filament.

The plastic powder may be fused under the influence of heat from theintensely hot cones 20 of glass to form a coating or a partial coatingon the glass fibers or filaments. Where it is desired to utilize powdersor particulates of plastic or resinous materials an electrical potentialis rendered unnecessary.

While the stream feeder or bushing is preferably made of an alloy ofplatinum such as platinum and rhodium, it is to be understood that thestream feeder or bushing may be fashioned of other metal compositions,for example, Inconel metal which is an alloy or composition containingabout 78% nickel and small amounts of copper, iron manganese, siliconand carbon, this alloy having a high resistance to heat and may be usedfor containing most glass compositions in a molten state such as thoseused for forming fibers or filaments.

The operation of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 and 6 wherepowdered resinous or plastic material is entrained in the quenchingstreams or media is as follows:

The glass streams 18 flowing from the stream feeder are attenuated tofibers or filaments by winding a strand 26 of the fibers or filamentsinto a package 28 on a forming tube mounted on the rotating mandrel orcollet 32. The fluid or liquid providing the quenching streams 52 in theinterior 46 of the manifold 44 is under pressure and the streams 52extruded from the nozzles 50 engage the glass streams 18 at or adjacentthe apex regions of the cones 20 of the glass streams 18.

A resinous or plastic material in fine powder or particulate form is fedfrom the containers or hoppers 60, 60a and 60b by rotation of themembers 62, 62a and 62b through the small diameter tubes 58 into thequenching liquid flowing through each of the nozzles 50. In this mannerthe powdered material is entrained in the quenching streams 52 andconveyed thereby into contact with the glass streams at the region ofthe tips of the cones of glass. The plastic material may adhere to theglass streams 18 as they are attenuated or formed into kinky fibers orfilaments providing composite fibers or filaments of glass and plasticmaterial.

The velocity of the quenching streams 52 of liquid is sufficient toeffect substantially uniform quenching of the glass streams to formkinks or bends 40 in the fibers or filaments 22. Under the influence ofreduced or subatmospheric pressure established in the funnel-shapedmembers 87 by rotation of the blower rotor 92 the spent liquid of thestreams is conveyed away through the tubular members 84 together withany residual plastic material in the quenching liquid. Through the useof the suction blower and filter means contamination of the environmentis prevented.

In the operation of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 and 6where metals in fine powder or particulate form are delivered fromcontainers or hoppers 60, 60a and 60b into the quenching streams 52, anelectrical potential or circuit may be established between the currentconductor or terminal 100 connected with the manifold 44 and theconductor or terminal 102 connected with the funnel-shaped members 87whereby micro arcs may occur between adjacent metal particles in thequenching streams.

Such micro arcing between the metal particles in the regions of theglass streams 18 causes a pitting or roughness in the surfaces of thekinky fibers or filaments attenuated from the glass streams. The reducedor subatmospheric pressure in the funnel-shaped members 87 conveys awayany metal particles remaining in the quenching streams or any metalparticles adjacent the quenching streams.

The pitting or roughening of the surfaces of the fibers or filaments hasbeen found to increase the flexibility of the fibers or filaments. Whenthe kinky fibers or filaments are grouped into bundles or strands theyare resistant to abrasion as the interengaged fibers or filaments tendto adhere or interlock one with another to a greater extent than whenthe surfaces of the fibers or filaments are of smooth character.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the method and apparatus of the inventionwherein a "rider" stream or streams of liquid which are immiscible withthe water or liquid of the quenching streams or jets are contiguous withand move along with or are conveyed by the quenching streams intocontact with the fibers or filaments of glass at or adjacent the regionsof attenuation.

The "rider" stream or streams may be of oil or other liquid immisciblewith water, or the "rider" stream may be a silicon coupling agent or thelike. A "rider" stream may be contiguous with a quenching water streamon top of the water and, if desired, a "rider" stream may be contiguouswith the lower surface of a quenching water stream.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a "rider" stream both above and below eachquenching water stream. Powdered metals, plastic powders or otherparticulate materials may be conveyed by the "rider" stream or streamsinto contact with the glass fibers or filaments at their region ofattenuation.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a stream feeder or bushing 10' is adapted tocontain heat-softened glass or other heat-softened fiber-formingmaterial, the stream feeder being fashioned of high temperatureresistant material which may be an alloy of platinum or rhodium or othersuitable material. The end walls of the feeder 10' have terminal lugs12', one of which is shown in FIG. 7, connected with a supply ofelectric energy for heating the glass. The electric energy may bealternating current of comparatively low voltage and high amperage formaintaining the molten glass in the stream feeder at a properattenuating temperature and viscosity.

The stream feeder 10' may be connected with a forehearth of a glassmelting furnace (not shown) or the steam feeder or bushing 10' mayreceive pieces or bodies of prerefined glass which are reduced to amolten condition by electric energy passing through the stream feeder orbushing.

The feeder floor 14' is preferably fashioned with rows of dependingprojections 16' disposed transversely of the feeder 10', each projectionhaving a passage or orifice through which flows a stream 18' ofheat-softened glass or other fiber-forming material. The forms of themolten glass of the streams 18' at the terminals of the orificedprojections 16' are in the shape of cones 20'. While FIG. 7 illustratesa transverse row of four orificed projections 16', there may be severaltransverse rows as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. There may be more thanfour orificed projections in each of the several transverse rows.

Each of the glass streams 18' is attenuated to a kinky fiber or filament110, the fibers or filaments being converged by a gathering shoe into alinear group, strand or bundle as shown in FIG. 1 wherein the strand iswound into a package onto a rotating collet or mandrel during thewinding operation. A rotatable and reciprocable transverse means, suchas shown at 36 in FIG. 1, effects a crossing of the convolutions of thestrand or bundle and distributes the strand or bundle lengthwise on thepackage.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 7 is inclusive of means for impinging astream or jet of liquid, such as water or other liquid, against theglass streams of each transverse row of glass streams at or adjacent thetip regions of the cones or attenuating regions for establishingdistortions, vibrations or oscillations of the softened glass forcooling or quenching the streams of glass under the influence of thestreams or jets of water or other liquid thereby forming successivekinks, bends or undulations 108 in the fibers or filaments 110.

The arrangement illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a method of and means fordelivering various materials into contact with the streams 18' of theheat-softened glass by entraining the materials in one or more "rider"streams of liquid contiguous to and moving with the streams of water orliquid for quenching or cooling the glass streams during attenuation.

The materials conveyed by the "rider" streams may combine with coat orreact with the glass of the streams at the region of formation of kinkyfibers or filaments for imparting particular characteristics to thekinky fibers or filaments such as forming roughened or pitted surfaceson the fibers or filaments or combining the entrained materials with theglass of the streams for various purposes.

Disposed lengthwise of the stream feeder 10' is a manifold 112 similarto the manifold 44 shown in FIG. 1 which is supplied with a quenchingfluid, such as water or other liquid under pressure, from a supply (notshown). Disposed lengthwise of the manifold 112 in spaced relation andconnected thereto are tubes, pipes or tubular nozzles 114, there being anozzle aligned with each transverse row of glass streams 18'. Each ofthe nozzles 114 delivers a coherent stream or jet 116 of quenching orcooling fluid, such as water, at a substantial velocity.

While a preferred quenching or cooling medium is water, it is to beunderstood that other fluids or foam material may be used. The quenchingstreams or jets 116 are of sufficient velocity so that the streams orjets of quenching fluid impinge against the glass streams 18' at oradjacent the tips of the cones 20' of glass to distort, vibrate oroscillate the glass streams from their normal vertical paths of descentfrom the orifices in the projections 16' depending from the streamfeeder 10' to form kinks, bends or undulations in the fibers orfilaments.

It is essential that the jets or streams 116 of quenching fluid have avelocity to provide streams having rectilinear coherent trajectorieswith a minimum of curvature to properly engage the glass streams oftransverse rows of glass streams. Each quenching stream or jet ispreferably under pressure of from thirty pounds per square inch to aboutsixty pounds per square inch providing sufficient velocity to formstreams of rectilinear trajectory.

The apparatus is inclusive of means providing one or more "rider"streams of oil or other liquid immiscible with water onto or contiguouswith the quenching jets or streams 116 of water, the "rider" streamsbeing conveyed by or moving with the water streams or jets 116 intocontact or engagement with the fibers or filaments of glass at the tipsof the cones of glass at the attenuation region.

A supply container or reservoir 120 contains oil or other liquidimmiscible with water or other quenching fluid, the oil adapted tocontain particulate materials such as plastic, powders, metal particlesor other comminuted materials which are conveyed or carried by the oilon surface regions of the quenching water streams or jets 116 intocontact with the fibers or filaments at the attenuating region. Oil froma bulk supply is conveyed to the container 120 by a pipe or tubularmember 122.

Means is provided for conveying oil or other liquid from the container120 for delivery onto each of the quenching or water streams 116.

FIG. 7 illustrates two pipes or tubular membes 124 and 126 extendinginto the oil 128 in the supply container 120. A pump or pumping means130 is associated with the pipe 124 for pumping oil from the containerto a nozzle 132 disposed above each water delivery nozzle 114, theterminus of each nozzle 132 being preferably adjacent the terminus ofthe adjacent water nozzle 114. The oil delivered from the nozzle 132provides a "rider" stream or film 140 of oil on the upper region of aquenching or water jet 116 whereby the stream 116 of water conveys ordirects the oil into contact with the fibers or filaments 108 as theyare attenuated from the glass streams 18'.

A pump 136 is connected with pipe 126 for pumping oil from the supplycontainer 120 to each nozzle 138 disposed adjacent and below each waterdelivery nozzle 114, each nozzle terminating adjacent the terminus of awater delivery nozzle 114. The pump 136 delivers a "rider" stream orfilm 142 of oil from each nozzle 138 in contiguuous contact with andalong the lower surface region of an adjacent water stream 116.

The pumps 130 and 136 deliver the oil from the nozzles 132 and 138 atabout the same velocity of the quenching streams 116 of water so thatthe "rider" streams of oil move with the quenching streams 116. As the"rider" streams of oil are moving at substantially the same velocity asthe water or fluid of the quenching streams, the velocity of the oilstreams is sufficient to maintain the streams of oil as coherent streamsat least until an oil stream has engaged or contacted all of the fibersor filaments of a transverse row.

While FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the use of two oil streams, one above andthe other below each quenching stream of water, it is to be understoodthat a single oil stream may be used or more than two oil or "rider"streams may be used with each quenching stream 116.

The oil provides a carrier or vehicle for conveying particulatematerials into contact with the glass streams at the region ofattenuation of the glass streams into kinky fibers or filaments. Theapparatus includes a container 144 or other means providing a supply ofparticulate material for delivery into the oil or other liquid 128 inthe receptacle or container 120.

Connected with the supply receptacle 144 is a delivery chute or means146 for conveying particulate materials 147 from the supply receptacle144 into the container or chamber 120. A conventional gating means orcontrol 148 is associated with the delivery chute 146 for controlling orregulating the rate of delivery of particulate materials from the supplyreceptacle 144 into the container 120.

Disposed in the container 120 is a means or instrumentality 149 foragitating or mixing the particulate materials and oil in the container120 for dispersing and distributing the particulate materials throughoutthe oil 128. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the mixinginstrumentality includes an electrically energizable motor or motivemeans 150 which rotates a shaft 151 on which is mounted a vaned impelleror mixer 152. The speed of the motor 150 may be controlled whereby theimpeller thoroughly mixes the particulate materials in the oil 128 inthe container 120.

The apparatus illustrated in FIG. 7 includes an arrangement similar tothat illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 for receiving the spent liquid of thequenching streams 116 and particulate materials remaining in thequenching streams. The arrangement of FIG. 7 includes means forrecovering the water or liquid of the quenching streams for reuse aswell as recovery of the oil and particulate materials remaining in theoil for reuse.

Disposed lengthwise of the stream feeder 10' is a hollow or tubularmanifold 80'. Arranged lengthwise of the manifold 80' are tubularmembers 82' which are connected with vertically disposed tubular members84', each of the members 84' having a funnel-shaped entrance means ormember 87'.

The manifold 80' is connected with a suction blower 90' for connectionwith a filter means (not shown) for filtering out particulate materialsthat may escape from the oil of the "rider" streams 140 and 142. Whileonly one of each of the members 82', 84' and 87' is illustrated in FIG.7, it is to be understood that an assembly of such members connectedwith the manifold 80' is provided to receive each of the quenchingstreams 116 and the "rider" streams 140 and 142 of oil associated witheach quenching stream.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 7 is inclusive of means for recovering andreusing the oil and quenching liquid or water. The tubular members 84'extend into a container or receptacle 156 which receives the water ofthe spent quenching streams 116 and the oil or other liquid of the"rider" streams 140 and 142. The water of the quenching streams collectsin the lower region of the receptacle 156 and the oil floats or collectson the upper surface of the water in the receptacle.

A float member 158 floats upon or is buoyed up by the water in thereceptacle 156. The float member 158 is connected by means of a flexibletube or tubular member 160 with a pump 162 which pumps the oil and anyresidual particulates therein from the receptacle 156 through a tube ortubular member 164 into the receptacle or container 120 for reuse in thesystem.

The lower region of the container 156 is connected by a pipe or tube 168with a pump 170 which pumps water from the receptacle 156 to a pressurereservoir (not shown) for redelivery to the manifold 112 for reuse. Thepump 170 may be connected with the manifold 112 to deliver the collectedwater direct to the manifold 112. Water from a conventional water supplysystem may be connected to the manifold 112 to compensate for water lostby evaporation.

Where particulate material 147, such as metals or carbon particles orthe like, is supplied to the container 120 for delivery in the "rider"streams 140 and 142, an electric circuit 173 may be provided foreffecting a coating or deposition of metal particles on the fibers orfilaments or to effect micro arcs between adjacent metal particles orcarbon particles to form a pitted or roughened surface on the fibers orfilaments or for other purposes.

A positive terminal 172 of the circuit 173 is connected with each of thewater delivery nozzles 114 and a negative terminal 174 of the circuit173 may be connected with each of the funnel-shaped entrance members 87'whereby an electrical potential is established for the metal or carbonparticles in the oil or "rider" streams 140 and 142.

Where the quenching streams contain particles of carbon, the electricalpotential between adjacent carbon particles causes micro arcing tendingto form pitted or roughened surfaces on the fibers or filaments. Wherethe particles are of metal, the current potential and the heat from theglass streams may fuse the metal particles to the glass to form acomposite glass and metal fiber or filament. The metal particles may berendered molten to form coatings on the glass fibers or filaments.

The electrical potential set up in the "rider" streams of oil is directcurrent preferably of a voltage of about twenty-four volts or more, thevoltage being sufficient to cause micro arcs to occur between adjacentparticles. Where it is desired to effect a fusing or coating of metalparticles onto the fibers or filaments, the voltage may be increased. Itis to be understood that the voltage may be varied depending upon thereaction desired between the glass streams and the particles of metal.

The functioning or operation of the apparatus or arrangement illustratedin FIGS. 7 and 8 is as follows: Water or other quenching liquid underpressure in the manifold 112 provides coherent quenching streams 116 ofsufficient velocity to cause the streams to move in substantiallyrectilinear paths into contact with the glass streams 18' flowing fromthe rows of transversely aligned orificed tips 16' on the bushing orfeeder 10'. The quenching streams 116 quench the glass streams 18' intokinky or undulated fibers or filaments 110 as the fibers or filamentsare attenuated by winding a strand of the fibers or filaments upon acollector or sleeve rotated by a collet such as the collet 32illustrated in FIG. 1.

The container 120 is supplied with oil, a silicon coupling agent orother liquid immiscible with water from a supply (not shown) through apipe 122. Particulate material 147 is provided from a supply receptacle144, the particulate material being delivered by a trough or member 146into the oil or other fluid in the container 120, the rate of flow ofthe particulate material into the container 120 being controlled by agating means 148 or other suitable conventional control.

The motor 150 is energized to rotate the impeller or mixer 152 tothoroughly mix the particulate material or materials with the oil orother liquid in the container 120. The pumps 130 and 136 are energizedand pump the mixture of oil or other liquid and particulate materialsfrom the container 120 to the nozzles 132 and 138 adjacent the exit endregions of the water delivery nozzles 114. The nozzles 132 and 138deliver "rider" streams 140 and 142 of the mixture of oil or otherliquid and particulate material above and below the streams 116 of wateror other quenching liquid.

The "rider" streams 140 and 142 of oil or other liquid and particulatematerials are delivered by the pumps 130 and 136 along the quenchingstreams 116 at substantially the same velocity as that of the quenchingstreams 116. In this manner the "rider" streams move with the quenchingstreams 116 at substantially the same velocities so that there is aminimum of spreading of the liquid of the "rider" streams over thesurfaces of the quenching streams 116.

The spent water of the quenching streams 116 and the residual liquid andparticulate material of the "rider" streams are received by thefunnel-shaped members 87' and conveyed by the tubular members 84' intothe receptacle 156. The suction blower 90' conveys any loose residualparticulates to a filter to prevent contamination of the atmosphere.

The oil or liquid coupling agent received in the receptacle 156 floatson the water contained in the receptacle 156, the oil being returned bya pump 162 into the container 120 through the tubular means 160. Thewater in the lower region of the receptacle 156 is returned by the pump170 to the water pressure supply or reservoir for reuse for thequenching streams, or the water may be pumped directly to the manifold112.

Plastic or resinous material in powdered form added to the oil for the"rider" streams may be utilized as a surface treatment for the glassfibers or filaments. Metals, such as tin, chromium, boron and the like,may be added to the liquid of the "rider" streams. With the use of metalpowders in the "rider" streams, an electrical potential is providedthrough the circuitry 173 to provide micro arcs between adjacent metalparticles in the "rider" stream whereby the arcs react to form roughenedor nonsmooth surfaces on the kinky fibers or filaments 110, or the metalpowder may be fused to the kinky fibers or filaments.

In addition, the "rider" streams may contain an exothermic material tointensify heat. For example, a powdered material marketed under thetrademark "Thermit" being a composition containing in powder form,aluminum, an iron oxide and ferrosilicon, may be added to the "rider"streams to increase the heat at the region of the glass streams, suchincrease in heating being effective to fuse the metal onto the glassfibers or filaments. An endothermic material may be added to the "rider"stream to promote faster quenching of the glass streams.

Other particulate materials may be used in the "rider" streams 140 and142 to secure reactions with the glass fibers or filaments or to provideother characteristics for the fibers or filaments. Particles of carbonmay be used in the "rider" streams in conjunction with the electriccurrent for securing micro arcing between adjacent carbon particles.However, when the "rider" streams contain particles of metal to securepitted or roughened surfaces by micro arcing the use of carbon particlesmay be dispensed with.

FIG. 9 illustrates schematically the method involving feeding metal instrip, wire or other form, into the cones of glass at the tips of theorificed projections of a feeder to provide composite glass and metalfibers or filaments. FIG. 9 illustrates a feeder or bushing 178 havingrows of orificed depending projections 180. Molten glass in the feederflows through the orifices in the projections 180 providing cone-shapedregions 182 of glass streams 183.

The glass streams adjacent the tip regions of the cones 182 are engagedby quenching streams 185 of water or other quenching liquid which engagethe glass streams adjacent the tip regions of the cones forming fibersor filaments 187 having kinks, bends or undulations therein resultingfrom the quenching of the glass streams by the streams 185 of water.

In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 9, wires or strips of metal 189are advanced into contact with the cones 182 of molten glass by suitablefeeding means such as pairs of rolls 190. The wires or strips of metal189 are advanced by the pairs of rolls 190 with the tips of the wires orstrips engaging the cones, the heat from the cones of glass softening ormelting the metal, the molten metal adhering to the hot glass.

The rolls 190 advance the metal wires or strips at the rate at which themetal is melted or fused by the hot glass whereby the metal and glassbecome a composite metal-glass fiber or filament. The metal joined witha glass fiber or filament 187 is shown at 189' in FIG. 10. In thismanner, the metal component 189' of a fiber or filament 187 is acontinuous linear body fused with the glass.

FIG. 11 illustrates a modified electrical circuit for conductivematerials in the quenching or water streams where conductive metals ormaterial, such as carbon particles, are present in the water or liquidof the quenching streams. In FIG. 11, the stream feeder or bushing 10ais provided with orificed projections 16a through which flow streams 18aof glass, the glass at the exits of the orificed projections being inthe form of cones 20a.

Nozzles 50a connected with a manifold similar to the manifold 44 shownin FIG. 1 deliver quenching streams 52a of water which engage and quenchthe glass streams 18a at or adjacent the tips of the cones 20a as theglass streams are attenuated into fibers or filaments 192 having kinks,bends or undulations in the fibers or filaments established byengagement of the quenching streams with the glass streams. The water ofthe quenching streams 52a is delivered into funnel-shaped members 87a.

The circuit for the powdered metals or carbon particles in the waterstreams includes a positive terminal 194 connected to each of thenozzles 50a. A negative terminal 196 is connected to the funnel-shapedmembers 87a. An alternate negative terminal 196a is connected to thestream feeder or bushing 10a. A switch means 198 is incorporated in thecircuit so that the current flow from the nozzles 50a may be through thewater stream collecting funnel members 87a or alternately through theglass streams 18a to the bushing 10a.

In the use of either circuit wherein the quenching streams 52a containmetals in particulate form or carbon particles, the current potentialpromotes micro arcing between adjacent metal particles or adjacentcarbon particles to effect a roughness or pitting of the surfaces of thekinky fibers or filaments. Various metals in particulate form may beused, such as tin, chromium, boron and the like, or compounds thereofmay be contained in the quenching streams 52a.

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11 illustrating a modified electric circuitinvolving the quenching streams. Glass streams 18b flowing from thefeeder or bushing 10b through orificed projections 16b have coneformations 20b, the glass streams being attenuated to fibers orfilaments 192b having kinks, bends or undulations in the fibers orfilaments under the influence of the quenching streams 52b deliveredfrom nozzles 50b.

A circuit is provided whereby current may flow through the quenchingstreams by reason of carbon particles or metals in particulate formadded to the water of the quenching streams to react with the glassunder the influence of current potential in the quenching streams.

The electric circuit includes a positive terminal 194b connected witheach of the water delivery nozzles 50b and a negative terminal 196bconnected with the members 87b, the latter receiving the spent water ofthe quenching streams. An alternative negative terminal 200 is connectedwith the stream feeder or bushing 10b.

When the current flow is through the quenching streams from terminal194b to the terminal 196b, the materials in the quenching streams, suchas carbon particles or metal particles, react with the fibers orfilaments. When the alternate terminal 200 is used, a circuit isestablished with the terminal 194b and current flow is through the glassstreams 18b and cones 20b of glass through the bushing 10b to promotevarious reactions of the metal particles with the fibers or filaments.

FIG. 13 illustrates an arrangement for electroplating kinky fibers orfilaments with a metal. A stream feeder 10c has orificed projections 16cthrough which flow streams 18c of glass having the form of glass cones20c depending from the tips of the projections 16c. Quenching streams52c comprise an electrolyte or solution of a salt or compound of themetal to be deposited on the kinky fibers or filaments at the region ofquenching and attenuation of the glass streams to form kinky fibers orfilaments.

Disposed for alignment with transverse rows of glass streams 18c arenozzles 202, one of which is illustrated in FIG. 13. The nozzles areconnected with a manifold 204. The manifold 204 is connected by atubular means or member 206 with a pump 208, the latter being connectedby a tubular means 210 with a container or receptacle 212 containing asolution or electrolyte of a salt or compound of the metal to bedeposited upon the kinky fibers or filaments 192c.

In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 13, the manifold 204, the tubularmembers 206 and 210, the pump 208 and the container 212 are made ofnonmetallic material, such as ceramic or the like, so that they will notbe affected by the electrolyte or solution of the composition or metalsalt of the metal to be deposited on the kinky fibers or filaments 192cwhich solution forms the quenching streams 52c.

An electrode 216 is provided for each quenching stream 52c, theelectrodes being of metal to be deposited upon the kinky fibers orfilaments. Each electrode 216 extends through the manifold 204 and anozzle 202 into a quenching stream 52c. Each of the electrodes extendsthrough a sealing member 218 of nonmetallic material, the sealingmembers 218 being mounted in openings in the manifold 204 in alignmentwith the nozzles 202, the sealing members 218 being arranged towithstand the pressure of the liquid or solution providing the quenchingstreams 52c.

Each of the electrodes 216 is of the metal to be deposited upon thefibers or filaments. The electrodes 216 are connected by a currentconductor 220 with a positive terminal of a source of direct current(not shown) and the stream feeder or bushing 10c connected by aconductor 222 with the negative terminal of the direct current supply.

The electrodes 216 form the anodes and the cones 20c of glass of theglass streams 18c form the cathodes. The electrodes 216 may be arrangedto be fed or advanced through the sealing members 218 by conventionalmeans as the metal of the electrodes is expended in forming theelectroplating on the kinky fibers or filaments. As an alternative,particles of the metal to be used for the plating may be delivered intothe solution in the container 212.

The spent liquid of the quenching streams may be received infunnel-shaped collectors 87c and returned to the receptacle 212 forreuse. The funnel-shaped collectors 87c should be of nonmetallicmaterial so that they will not be affected by the plating electrolyte orsolution.

Most metals adaptable for electroplating may be used for coating orplating the kinky fibers or filaments. Examples of metals that may beused are nickel, chromium, tin, silver and cadmium. In the use of mostmetals, a salt of the metal may be used in the solution or electrolytefor the quenching streams. Where chromium is used as the plating metal,the electrolyte may be chromic acid solution.

In the electroplating method or process illustrated in FIG. 13, the pump208 provides the pressure for delivering the quenching streams 52c fromthe nozzles 202. The current flow in the plating circuit is from thedirect current supply through conductors 220 and electrodes 216 throughthe electrolyte or solution providing the quenching streams 52c, throughthe cones of glass 20c of the glass streams 18c, the stream feeder orbushing 10c and conductor 222 to the current supply.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modificationsand different arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed,and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the inventioncomprehending all variations thereof.

I claim:
 1. The method of forming fibers of heat-softened glassincluding flowing streams of glass in a row from a feeder, attenuatingthe streams of glass to fibers, impinging a coherent stream of liquidagainst the glass streams to effect successive distortions of the glassstreams, projecting a second stream of a liquid immiscible with theliquid of the first stream lengthwise of the first stream and incontiguous relation with the first stream whereby the second streamcontacts the streams of glass, and cooling the glass streams at thedistortions by the first stream of liquid at a rate to form successivepermanent bends in the attenuated fibers.
 2. The method according toclaim 1 wherein the liquid of the second stream includes oil.
 3. Themethod of forming fibers of heat-softened glass including flowingstreams of glass in a row from a feeder, attenuating the streams ofglass to fibers, impinging a first coherent stream of liquid against theglass streams to effect successive distortions of the glass streams,projecting a second stream of a liquid immiscible with the liquid of thefirst stream lengthwise of the first stream and in contiguous relationwith the first stream whereby the second stream contacts the streams ofglass, feeding particulate material into the liquid of the secondstream, conveying the particulate material by the second stream intocontact with the glass of the glass streams whereby the particulatematerial reacts with the glass of the glass streams, and cooling theglass streams at the distortions by the first stream of liquid at a rateto form successive permanent bends in the attenuated fibers.
 4. Themethod according to claim 3 wherein the liquid of the second streamincludes a coupling agent.
 5. Apparatus for forming fibers ofheat-softened glass, in combination, a stream feeder having a floor, aplurality of rows of orifices in the feeder floor adapted to flowstreams of glass, means attenuating the streams of glass to fibers,first nozzle means projecting a coherent stream of liquid for each rowfor engagement with the glass streams to effect successive distortionsof the glass streams, second nozzle means adjacent each of the firstnozzle means delivering a jet stream of liquid immiscible with theliquid of the coherent streams lengthwise of and in contiguous relationwith each of the coherent streams of liquid for engagement with theglass streams, each of said jet streams of liquid from the second nozzlemeans containing material in particulate form for reaction with theglass streams to modify characteristics of the attenuated fibers, meansfor conveying away spent liquid of the coherent streams and jet streams,and cooling the glass streams at the distortions by the coherent streamsof liquid at a rate to form successive permanent bends.